Basketball, Belmont and Bruce

A couple of random thoughts as the NCAA men's basketball tournament's first round continues:

*How 'bout those Belmont Bruins almost knocking off Duke? I wish they had.

That school's grown a lot in the past few years, both athletically and in enrollment.

They're hampered by being a relatively small school playing in a weak conference, but with the right moves a powerhouse could be in the making. Games like Thursday's definitely help attract prospects.

*Last month the Indiana Daily Student (the school paper's name definitely fits...) mentioned Tennessee's Bruce Pearl as a possible candidate to take over the scandal-ridden basketball program in Bloomington.

Think he'd shed the orange jacket this soon?

Whether you agree with Pearl's coaching techniques or not, there's no doubt he's brought enthusiasm back to UT basketball. Winning does that.